The Press Box.

New Mexico St., Mccarthy Settle

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico State and former basketball coach Neil McCarthy settled a breach-of-contract lawsuit, but not their differences, in an out-of-court deal announced Tuesday.

The university agreed to pay McCarthy $835,000. McCarthy dropped the lawsuit he filed in October 1997 after losing his job.

The university, in a statement, complained about McCarthy's performance during his 12 years as head coach.

McCarthy had a 248-123 record, but his teams twice failed to meet a C average during a four-year contract that offered a bonus if the team had a 2.0 grade-point average.

"We stated that NMSU would not tolerate the perception that winning games outweighs the educational mission of this university," university President William Conroy said Tuesday. "Academics, sportsmanship, civil behavior, citizenship and compliance with the NCAA rules are of paramount importance."

McCarthy expressed dismay that school officials continued "to make personal attacks."